Algebra 2, foreign language would be dropped from Michigan graduation requirements under bill debated in House committee

LANSING, MI – Some state students can learn skills that lead to high-paying careers without taking algebra 2 and foreign language classes, some state House members said Wednesday.

But state Board of Education members said the Michigan Merit Curriculum prepares students for both college and careers, and changing rigorous course requirements would make it seem like the state was watering down its standards.

State House Education Committee members took their first look at a series of bills that would add flexibility to the curriculum, aimed at allowing career-oriented classes.

Mandated in 2006 under Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the curriculum requires, among other things, four years of math, four of English and three of science — with labs.

Students must take such higher courses as geometry and chemistry or physics.
A bill from State Rep. Edward McBroom, R-Vulcan, would eliminate the requirement for algebra 2 and a foreign language, replacing them with opportunities for career-technical education, technical math, and work-study programs.

“We do not feel that career or vocational technical education is somehow a secondary level of education, that it’s a lower class than going to a four-year institution and getting a bachelor’s degree or going on for a master’s or a doctorate,” McBroom said.

“Learning to work with your hands, learning to be a pipe-fitter, learning construction, learning to be a nurse, aviation, auto mechanics, welding – these are honorable careers and professions that people can and do earn very good livings from and are able to do for a lifetime.”

McBroom said he’s not trying “to create a back door way for a degree” but give students additional options.

His bill reduces some of the requirements in the standard curriculum, and provides opportunities for career-technical education, technical math, work study programs.

“I’ve been watching students who would love to study, whether it’s auto mechanics, building trades, nursing – so many other options,” he said. “And yet they are being forced into classes that would take them to another route than then are actually interested in, they don’t have the time and the flexibility in their schedules.”

McBroom said many schools have been forced to eliminate their technical and vocational education programs.

McBroom said he’s not trying “to create a back door way for a degree” but give students additional options.

State Rep. Peter Pettalia, R-Presque Isle, co-sponsored the bill and said he benefited from an aeronautics class.

“We have missed the boat in this state for the last 30 years,” he said. “We have taken a different direction for our children – not wrong, but a direction in which I believe we have set some of our children up for failure.”

Weiser said 80 percent of the 50 fastest-growing jobs require education beyond high school, 40 percent of all new jobs will require at least an associate’s degree, and 66 percent of all new jobs require at least some form of post-secondary education.

Weiser said schools have the option of weaving the material into career-technical classes, allowing students to meet the requirement, but also see how the subjects are important.

“Please don’t go back to the dark ages where we say our students can’t learn, and roll back standards,” Danhof said.

Committee Chairwoman Lisa Posthumous Lyons, R-Alto, asked whether either of the state board members use algebra 2.

“Yes, we all do on a daily basis. What we don’t know is that we are not aware we are using algebra 2” Weiser said. “Algebra 2 has too much to do with higher level thinking skills in which you take apart a problem, re-assemble it and come up with answers. We think of algebra 2 as something that is a math equation only. But the things that are taught go so far beyond that."

Lyons said Wednesday’s session was the first of what she expects to be many called to discuss the bills and what the state students need to be successful.

Lyons said she doesn’t view the bills as watering down the state standards, but rather offering districts flexibility.

But some committee members aren’t sure. State Rep. Lisa Brown, D-Bloomfield Hills, said some of the bills allow for more vocational education, but some seem to just reduce the requirements.

“The odd thing is that just a couple weeks ago this committee had a unanimous vote to recommend districts start with foreign languages in elementary school,” she said after the hearing. “The inconsistency is frustrating.”